City Council Approves Parks Master Plan

The Moore City Council approved the Parks Master Plan on February 6th. The plan gives staff a framework to work within and plans can now be made for implementation. Funding sources will have to be found for many of the projects but many items are already in the works. Citizens will see improvements in many city parks and a Championship Disc Golf Course should open in Little River Park by the end of the year. The master plan is available to view by clicking the link below.

Leisure experiences filled with healthy opportunities and fun things to do will be much easier to find in Moore as the 2022 Comprehensive P.A.T.H. (Parks, Aquatics, Trails, Health) Parks and Recreation Master Plan is implemented over the next several years. There is an air of excitement in Moore as nearly 1,000 citizens participated in the planning process to express their preferred future for the park system, recreation facilities, and recreation programs.

Citizens asked for new recreation facilities. High on the list are trails, an aquatic facility, spraygrounds, a modern recreation center, shaded playgrounds, and a permanent Farmers Market facility.
Citizens asked for opportunities to recreate in ways that embrace their desire for a healthy lifestyle and to highlight the small town environment that is one of the most cherished community values. “The master plan’s highest priorities for programming include enhancing the Moore Farmer’s Market and creating new and exciting recreation programs for health and wellness at the Moore Community Center” said Todd Jenson, Director of Parks and Recreation.

Citizens asked that the level of care for existing parks and facilities be increased. The master plan has identified projects to accomplish that desire. These projects will greatly improve the experience of citizens who visit a park in Moore. Included in the improvements are; permanent restrooms, drinking fountains, shade structures, additional trees, improved walking trails, better signage and upgrades to the parking and lighting. By allocating additional funds for better turf management, more maintenance equipment, and additional staffing the level of care to existing parks will be significantly increased as well.

Finally, citizens have expressed an interest in adding to the uniqueness of Moore that goes beyond its very special bond among its citizens. The Plan also recognizes Moore as the home of Toby Keith. This Master Plan has identified two transformational projects.

First, Fairmoore Park will be completely redeveloped by adding a Toby Keith Museum, a significant water feature and sprayground, a new walking trail, pavilions, and an upgraded playground.
Second, a central Moore Public Open Space project will be the home of a new aquatic facility, a modern community center, a “state of the art amphitheater”, a permanent Farmer’s Market, a community garden/green space, a trail lined with permanent and rotating art/sculptures, a significant water feature, and a permanent festival zone.

The master planning work is complete and work begins on implementing its vision. The citizen-driven plan provides citizens with opportunities that did not seem realistic a few short months ago; however, the time is right, elected officials and city administrators are supportive of citizen preferences and are ready to begin the hard work to turn the dream of the master plan into a reality.